Last week, thoughts of Deadwood DVDs and hamburgers were running through my head, skipping along merrily, holding hands. Half of this dream was fulfilled by taking a short drive to the other side of the river to finally eat at The Nook where we had failed many times before, due to long lines that extend out the door.
The Nook is the first and original Casper and Runyon’s burger joint, the other being Shamrock’s, also in St. Paul. Having been to Shamrocks (after driving by the Nook and noticing a long line), I was familiar with their burger schtick – in part, based largely on the Jucy Lucy. I am a Matt’s Bar girl through and through, but I certainly don’t spit in the patty of a good burger oozing molten cheese, so the Nook was a great place to quench my burger craving.
It’s somewhat of a dive, where people of all walks of life nosh on burgers, fries, and drink cans of Miller because of the awesome burger that brings us all here. The one thing that the Nook and Shamrock’s have that Matt’s don’t, is a Jucy Lucy with pepper-jack cheese (AKA the Paul Molitor). You think cheddar is badass? Hold your seats, because the molten pepper-jack cheese that comes spewing out of the meat patties gives the burger that spicy kick it needs to go beyond to ho-hum familiarity that cheddar provides to burger aficionados.
Look at it! The Paul Molitor is just begging you to take those fresh, crispy, potato cut fries and wipe it’s burger mouth to clear it of the hot and spicy cheese. And who am I to refuse it? I obeyed the burger.
As I was stuffing my face, David was engaging in a pleasant St. Paul conversation with our nearby table mates about how their son is going to the Olympics for rowing. But when he wasn’t chatting, he was biting into the Lodge Burger. I made the snotty remark that his burger merely looked “like a heart attack between two pieces of bread” – who the hell did I think I was? But then I had a bite and had to agree that it was damn good (but no Paul Molitor), and a fine choice as it featured not only cheddar, but bacon, fried onions and chipotle sauce.
Even if you are a Matt’s Bar type girl (or guy), give Casper and Runyon’s burger joints a try, as you won’t be disappointed. Though my dreams on Deadwood DVDs did not come to fruition, the hamburger craving was definitely met.
OH and check out Kitchen Bitch’s review of Matt’s Original Jucy Lucy.
Have you ever had a Jucy Lucy, or even a Juicy Lucy? Where? How was it? Still don’t know what a Jucy Lucy is? Tell me below in comments.
492 Hamline Ave S
St Paul, MN 55116
(651) 698-4347
I’m a recovering vegetarian, so I have never, ever had a Juicy Lucy. So sad!
ooh girl. I don’t want to say you’re missing out, but I am sorry for the lack of the Jucy Lucy in your life.
Sadly none of the burger joints you write so eloquently about are available here on the west coast… at least not to my knowledge anyway.
However, I actually came back to your blog because I’ve been plagued by thoughts of your last blog I read (and commented on) running through my mind so much so that it finally dawned on me the reason why! And that reason is you might wonder… well I’ll tell ya… I am compelled to suggest (strongly suggest even) that you give serious consideration to turning not only your baking talents but writing talent as well into something lucrative- because you EXUDE such amazing talent in both fields!!!
I don’t know if it’s opening your own bakery, writing culinary reviews for your local paper, becoming a food critic or any and all of the aforementioned (but not limited to naturally *winks)… but as GOD is my witness “YOU’VE GOT TALENT” that will not only benefit you but your community as well.
Your blog would be a wonderful “resume” all on its own- go for it, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Good luck and much success,
Sue
thanks sue – that’s really sweet and kind of you to say. and i’m glad i’m doing a good enough job to make you come back!